Blog Catalog Discussion: Living in a different country?

SaNn on 'Living in a different country?'

SaNn — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:30:46 -0500

I was born in Malaysia....wish to be in Australia also

LaHuerita on 'Living in a different country?'

LaHuerita — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:14:26 -0500

You are so right about the exploration of other cultures being addictive! I never looked back, either, though I never lost my own sense of identity.

When I first moved to Mexico in the '80s I found many things about the culture that were difficult to adjust to, in varying degrees. But after about 6 years when I went back to Southern California for a visit, I found I could hardly stand the place.

Prior to that I lived for a time in Hawaii, which of course is a US State-- but the culture there is also different and I had to get used to living on the Mainland again, with its different ways, when I returned.

And there was also Japan, Micronesia, and...

rickyjr: You will find that cultures, social mores, etc. can change fairly dramatically just from state to state in the USA. So moving to a whole different country can take some getting used to.

My best advice: Be friendly and courteous wherever you are, and people will be friendly and courteous back. Show respect for the culture. And resist the temptation (resist it STRONGLY) to EVER say something like "We don't do it that way back home" or "Back in California/the USA we do it this that or the other way", or anything along those lines. (Unless you're specifically asked, that is.) It is usually perceived as criticism, whether or not you mean it that way, and sets people's teeth on edge. They'll resent you for it.

michaelwillow on 'Living in a different country?'

michaelwillow — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:45:36 -0500

It depends who you are and where you go.

I moved to Ireland from Greece 3 years ago. If I had the chance to do it again I wouldn't do it. I had problems trying to rent a house. I didnt know anything abt the renting system. On the other hand I am happy that I didn't know anything because that has forced me to integrate myself to the local society instead of doing the same as I used to do in my old country. If I had the chance to move again, I would organize a few trips and then I would check a few places in different countries and having the chance chose what I think suits me better

jafabrit on 'Living in a different country?'

jafabrit — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:25:27 -0500

LOL! stillthinking :)

Stillthinking on 'Living in a different country?'

Stillthinking — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:18:12 -0500

You don't have to be British to have that confusion. I am from Chicago and ran into the same thing in Texas.

jafabrit on 'Living in a different country?'

jafabrit — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:17:14 -0500

I was born in England and came to the USA at the age of 23. What I found was that despite speaking the same language there were some confusion at times (especially in Texas).

Stillthinking on 'Living in a different country?'

Stillthinking — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:39:26 -0500

I was born in Korea, but came to the US when I was not even 2 years old. I am American through and through. I spent many summers in Korea when I was a kid.

melindaville on 'Living in a different country?'

melindaville — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:37:53 -0500

I was born in Egypt but moved to the U.S. when I was very young. I did spend a summer in Egypt when I was in high school and lived in London for a few months as a young adult.

cathy13 on 'Living in a different country?'

cathy13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:40:56 -0500

If you get on with Canadians then you can handle Australians, very much alike.
I am right aren't I, acoustic guitarist?

We lived in Darwin and found the heat oppressive but everything else was magical.

They BBQ on a flat griddle not a grill. Very very odd and not as good (sorry AG)

Oh and one more thing

DON"T EAT THE HOTDOGS!!!
ick ick ick

cathy13 on 'Living in a different country?'

cathy13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:34:08 -0500

HUH? Did I miss something?

cathy13 on 'Living in a different country?'

cathy13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:33:16 -0500

And the weather is always "fine" it can be sunny and 110 degrees and the weather girl will say it's "fine" today!

celticmusicfan on 'Living in a different country?'

celticmusicfan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:52:47 -0500

my aunt lives in australia for the past 20 years. australia is more british,partly scottish and irish and a bit of other cultures. and by the way, just a friendly advice upon reading this thread, people here just want to help and contribute humor. no need to turn them down ok ?:)

acousticguitarist knows a lot because he is australian.

Nomadic on 'Living in a different country?'

Nomadic — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:44:31 -0500

I have lived in lots of countries and travelled through more. You won't look back. I warn you, exploration of other cultures is addictive and you may loose your own sense of identity along the way. I found mine again, in the end, but it took a couple of decades!

SweetViolet on 'Living in a different country?'

SweetViolet — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:37:57 -0500

That is a risk. I'll never be able to afford Silicon Valley again, but it doesn't matter. I am married to a South African and I like it here. I have no plans to go back except for holidays.

American culture is big here. We have many American foods and products, even a good portion of our TV programming is American. I brought my own furniture and housewares, so I am surrounded by my own things, and I drive a car brand I recognize from the US. There is enough American culture here to prevent all but the most minor pangs of homesickness.

We have first world medical care and infrastructure, roads, etc. American movies open here just days after they open in the US, we have US popular music, even ESPN and CNN. But if you bring dollars here and invest them wisely, you can live comfortably on significantly less money than in the US, especially places like Silicon Valley and Orange County.

greencurmudgeon on 'Living in a different country?'

greencurmudgeon — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:26:27 -0500

I was born in the United States, but have lived in Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Ik spreek Nederlands. Et un petit peu Francais.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:08:28 -0500

that is insane how traveling to a different location can change your life that drastically. I live in orange county, california and the cost of living is insanely high here. One thing I am afraid of is if i decide to move somewhere for a few years, I won't be able to live in orange county again.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:05:16 -0500

I would like to know if there way of living has any main differences from the way Americans live. The word around here is that Australia is a few decades behind in American culture.

Not sure if there is any truth to that.

acousticguitarist on 'Living in a different country?'

acousticguitarist — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:21:14 -0500

only a moron uses crikey

acousticguitarist on 'Living in a different country?'

acousticguitarist — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:20:45 -0500

No he's serious

also learn to speak in the negative

Something nice is "not bad"

acousticguitarist on 'Living in a different country?'

acousticguitarist — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:10:56 -0500

What would you like to know about Australia?

SweetViolet on 'Living in a different country?'

SweetViolet — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:58:57 -0500

That's South Africa

Had I not married a South African and moved here, I would have retired here.

For comparison's sake: I sold a 1243 sq ft 40 year old house on a small lot in a blue collar neighbourhood in Silicon Valley in 2004 for $435,000. I cleared about $250K on the sale.

That same year I bought a 2800 sqft house on 1/3 acre in a "sought after" neighbourhood in Cape Town for $192,000. I drove a 15 year old Mazda pick up in California; I drive a Mercedes SUV here and my husband drives an S2000. I have a maid 3x a week, I bought a week's worth of groceries yesterday for $80 (a quart of milk was 87 cents, a loaf of bread ---top brand---89 cents). I bought a filet of beef...the whole filet...for $10. Oh...and we can live on one income here...my husband is an engineering manager and I just do a few hours of freelance work each week. It took two incomes to live at a lower standard of living in Silicon Valley.

And most everybody speaks English.

freshtunesfinland on 'Living in a different country?'

freshtunesfinland — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:44:40 -0500

Well, opinions are always tough. But, it's just a matter of feeling around for what's appropriate for discussion and what's not, ie. tough subjects like politics, money, sexuality, religion etc. People all around have an inbuilt "compass" of sorts, if you see how people react then you should be able to tell what people feel like talking about, and what not.

But opinions are always questionable, but I've never had a problem with that. It's just a matter of choosing your company properly, then you can discuss even the tougher issues with others. I personally am quite capable of seeing shades of grey and questioning my own opinions; in that way I don't have to always be right. And that I think is one great feature :)

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:33:58 -0500

driving on the wrong side would be really awkward to learn.... I am looking for the fact to get more our of my money for a little...

thanks

SweetViolet on 'Living in a different country?'

SweetViolet — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:31:22 -0500

Learning to drive on the wrong side of the road was the biggest struggle. Otherwise it was all good...higher standard of living for less money, everybody middle class or above has a maid, American products everywhere, and people here love Americans, especially since Obama got elected.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:26:02 -0500

I was asking for advice and if they experienced any struggle in their transition to the new country.... you did neither

thanks

Friday13 on 'Living in a different country?'

Friday13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:23:46 -0500

rgytthytehhetyhrtedtuht v ztfhgh eyedhtej nmxfrwe45rg rehytgjtu764we4tr4

Sorry, that was my head banging against the keyboard. This thread needs puppies.

SweetViolet on 'Living in a different country?'

SweetViolet — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:23:02 -0500

uh...because I live in a country different from the one I was born in?

Yer welcome

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:21:19 -0500

Why would you post something useless to my discussion.

thanks

SweetViolet on 'Living in a different country?'

SweetViolet — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:20:23 -0500

I was born in Oregon, spent most of my life in California, and have lived in South Africa for 5.5 years. Most people here speak English.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:17:38 -0500

haha dam you!!!!

Friday13 on 'Living in a different country?'

Friday13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:11:15 -0500

Uh ... sure!

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:06:26 -0500

factious

Friday13 on 'Living in a different country?'

Friday13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:05:37 -0500

That's because it is factual, well-known information.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:04:16 -0500

thanks freshtunes, i will take all those suggestions and use them. Getting involved in the culture is one of my big key goals in this journey. For you, did you find your self biting your tongue a lot in discussions at first.... or did you openly state your opinion while you were moving country to country.

freshtunesfinland on 'Living in a different country?'

freshtunesfinland — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:01:56 -0500

I was born in Sweden, then I've moved to Finland, then to the US, then I've lived in Spain. Although all real "western civilized" countries, still a bit of an ordeal. I think that people who have the biggest issues are those who do not get involved.

You won't have a language barrier, or not the greatest one at least, but it's still very important to get into the different culture, because even if it's not that different, it is different. Aussies have a different sense of what's personal and what's public than Americans, that's one difference I can think of. And it's always really important not to take a bad stand on the others culture, many people automatically see "different" as "worse" and it's something that one has to be aware of.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:53:39 -0500

friday, the crazy thing about your msg is that I was surfing today and met an Australian and he stated the same thing.

Friday13 on 'Living in a different country?'

Friday13 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:51:47 -0500

Learn how to use "mate" and "crikey!" often and you'll fit right in.

rickyjr on 'Living in a different country?'

rickyjr — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:30:46 -0500

I am just seeing if any blogcat members have lived in a different country than what they were born in.

I am planning on moving to Australia for 3 years after I finish college. I live in California as of now and would like to see if it is difficult to do or what there experience was.

I got the language on my side, so it won't be that big of struggle to communicate.